Child Life Students: Practicum and Internship Opportunities

Child Life Practicum Program

Child Life Practicum opportunities are currently paused.

The Child Life Practicum Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital provides students a variety of opportunities for an observation experience under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist in his/her designated unit.

Through these observations, practicum students will see how a Certified Child Life Specialist uses child development to make assessments and provide interventions to help aid in patients and families coping within the hospital setting. Interventions are and are not limited to: developmentally appropriate diagnosis and procedural teaching, distraction during medical procedures, medical play sessions, therapeutic play, special events, legacy building and bereavement support.

Child Life Practicum Length

The practicum lasts a minimum of eight weeks, 15 hours per week, for a total of 120 hours.

Child Life Practicum Application Requirements

To be considered for a Child Life Practicum, students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree and have at least a Junior level status (at the time of the practicum).

Suggested majors for Practicum candidates are:

  • Child Life
  • Child Development
  • Family and Human Development
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education
  • Recreation Therapy and Psychology

Selection of practicum students is determined based on a variety of criteria that include: academics, previous experience working with children, references, and an interview. Practicum student should at least be in their junior year of college. Post graduate applicants are also considered for a practicum opportunity.

Child Life Practicum Program Application Forms

 

Child Life Internship Program

Child Life Internship opportunities are available each Spring and Summer.

The Child Life Internship Program at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, provides students a variety of opportunities for experience and practice in providing Child Life interventions that help reduce the stress and anxieties that accompany hospitalization. While earning Child Life student clinical hours interns will be mentored in the assessment process of providing developmentally appropriate diagnosis and procedural teaching, distraction during medical procedures, medical play sessions, therapeutic/expressive play interventions, legacy building and bereavement support.

Child Life Internship Length

Child Life intern will have the opportunity to observe Child Life services in various clinical units where services are provided at Nickalus Childrens Hospital.

As part of the required 600hrs of clinical internship experience,  Child Life interns will complete 2 clinical rotations that are 6 weeks in length and an additional 3-week rotation, in patient care unit(s) open of students. 

Child Life Internship Application Requirements

To be considered for a Child Life Internship, students must be in the process of pursuing a bachelor’s degree and have senior level status or are graduate students earning a degree in a suggested child development related major.
Suggested majors for Internship candidates are:

  • Child Life
  • Child Development
  • Family and Human Development
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education
  • Recreation Therapy and Psychology

Selection of Child Life interns is determined based on a variety of criteria that include: academics, previous experience working with children in or outside of hospital setting, references, and an interview. 

To apply to our Accredited Child Life Internship Program, please visit  the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) Internship Readiness Common Application link: Application Portal (smapply.io)

Child Life Internship Program Application


Prospective Child Life Volunteers

For those that are interested in learning more about the child life profession or would like to volunteer with our Child Life department, please follow the links below.